Folding top for vehicles.



A A. N. GHBNOWETH.

'FOLDING TOP PoR WZHIGLBS.v PPLIGATION FILED AUG. 27, 1912.

1,083,273.: Patented Jan. 6, 1914..l

"Uivrriafn .s'rATE-s Arana orrron.

ARTH'UR NOLANI) CHENOW'ETH, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO W. RICHARD UPSON, OFWATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.

FOLDING Tor Fon VEHICLES.

Patented J an. 6, 19141..

` Application filed August 27,1912. Serial No. 717,249.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR NOLAND CHEN- New Haven and'State of l(onnpticut7 have invented certaln new and' useful l-Inprovements in .Folding Tops 'for Vehicles, of

which the following is a specification'.

' -The invention relates to folding tops for bile with the i vehicles, more particularly automobiles; and it has for its object to vso construct the frame for the said tops that there shall be but a minimum obstruction at the sides of the automobile, the usual side supports for the top being entirely dispensed with.

To this end the invention -consists essentially in two sets of telescoping members itting into the sides-or 'back of the vehicle and supporting bows for the cover, all of which is more particularly shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure f1 is a side elevation of an automoiiiprovedv top attached and in openposition. Fig. 2 -is a similar view, but shows the ,top in closed or folded position. Fig. 3 is` a perspective view of the telescoping members and attached bows. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a telescoping member, bow

support and anti-vibrating and locking spring.

Similar charactersof reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates' the'body of an automobile or other vehicle j land near the back of which, in the two sides thereof, are provided two curved sockets 11 adapted to receive tubular members '13 and 14 respectively, which in turn are adapted to receive similar but smaller members 15 and 16 respectively, etc., the members of the two sets, one at each side, beingadapted to telescope the one into the other-and the last ones intov the sockets 11. The respective members are of any suitable` shape and length and are arranged to provide an easy,

iit. At their ends these members support, by means of suitable straps 17 secured thereto, 'bows-18; and over which bows is drawn the `cover 19. The bows are held against forward movement by the cover 19 attached thereto and by a fiat. sliding spring 20 secured near the inner end of the member in.

advance. This spring is fixed at one point and its. other end is free and is adapted to slide into the member behind in telescoping. and thus provide against rattling of one member within the other. Then the cover is open, as shown in Fig. 1, the forward por- Ation is secured to the front of the machine by means of straps 21. To close the cover. the straps 21 are released and the top folded back, the various members telescoping the one within the other and the last ones in the sockets l1, permitting the top to lie back- 'fla't as shown in Fig. 2.

side; of a folding top comprising two curved, self-supporting, telescoping frames adapted to fit in said pockets. bows carried by the respective members of said frames, and a cover supported by said bows.

3. The combination with a vehicle body provided with suitable pockets; of a 'folding -top comprising two curved, self-supporting.

telescoping frames adapted to fit in said pockets, bows carried by the respective members of said frames, means to automatically prevent the return of the members as the same are extended, and a 'cover supported by the said bows.

4. A folding top, comprising two curved, self-supporting, telescoping' frames, bows pivotally carried by the respective members of said frames, and a cover supported by said bows.

5. A folding top, comprising two curved,

Vself-supporting, telescoping frames, bows pivotally earried by the respective members, VSigned et Waterbury in the county of a, sliding Hat spring carried by the yarious New Haven and State of Connecticut this members to limit the forward movement of 24th day of August, A. D. 1912.

the bows, to prevent the return of the same ARTHUR .NQLAND GHENOWETH, 5 when the members are extended and to lock 'Witnesse s:

said members against rattling when tele- JOSEPHINE H. SoMERs,

scoped, and a cover supported by said bows. W'. RICHARD UPsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, byiaddrssing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

